Dental Cleaning

What is a Teeth Cleaning?

A teeth cleaning is a routine dental treatment that everyone should get regularly to maintain excellent dental health. This treatment is done to improve and maintain dental hygiene. Besides being able to prevent certain oral health issues, teeth cleanings are also essential to maintaining good overall physical health, not just oral health. Good dental hygiene is an absolutely essential aspect of personal health.

We’ve all been told that eating unhealthy foods, such as sugary sweets or junk foods, can lead to tooth decay and dental issues over time. And although this is true, did you realize that keeping a healthy diet is only part of keeping up on good oral hygiene? Regular teeth cleanings are just as important as showering when it comes to taking care of your mouth. The teeth cleaning treatment removes bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup in the mouth to leave you with a fresh, sparkling smile!

At Jeff Kindseth DDS, we take teeth cleanings very seriously. We encourage all of our patients to get regular teeth cleanings, besides other necessary dental treatments and procedures, in order to maintain optimum dental health over the long term.

What to Expect From a Teeth Cleaning

Getting your teeth cleaned at Jeff Kindseth DDS is something you should schedule regularly. You should plan to visit the dentist at least twice a year. During the dental appointment, you can expect to experience the following:

  1. Your dentist will examine your head and neck to make sure that your jaw and lymph nodes appear normal and healthy. This is necessary to ensure that your jaw is healthy and that there aren’t any external irregularities that need to be looked into further. At this time, your dentist may also do an x-ray of your mouth.
  2. Next, the dentist will ask you to do a quick rinse of your mouth and then will begin an examination of the inside of your mouth. At this time, your dentist will check for broken fillings, cavities, cracked teeth, early signs of oral cancer, and signs of gum disease, among other important things. They will use a special mirror to see into all the corners of your mouth.
  3. Finally, the cleaning begins. Your dentist will use a series of special tools to remove the plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of and from in between your teeth. Professional flossing may also be performed at this point, and your teeth are also likely to be polished to avoid excessive buildup in the future. At the end of the cleaning (and at certain points during), you will be able to spit and remove extra saliva from your mouth as necessary.
  4. When the cleaning is completed, your dentist will review with you any possible improvements that you could make to your oral hygiene routine, and they will share with you if they found any cavities or other issues that need to be attended to in a different appointment. Then you will be able to schedule your next appointment and you can be on your way, ready to show the world your clean, bright smile!

The Importance of Regular Teeth Cleanings

Regular dental cleanings are one of the most important things that you can do to take care of your teeth. At Jeff Kindseth DDS, we believe that keeping your teeth clean by visiting the dentist regularly is an excellent way to not only increase your self-esteem by making sure that your pearly whites are bright and shiny, but also a great way to make sure that your entire body is healthy and feeling great. Here are some additional reasons why teeth cleanings are extremely important:

  • Prevents gum disease - Getting a teeth cleaning on a regular basis can prevent this common oral affliction. Gum disease can not only lead to bad breath and sensitive gums, but it can even lead to bleeding and receding gums if left untreated for too long.
  • Minimizes bad breath - If you struggle with bad breath, taking the time to book a routine teeth cleaning may help you clear up the problem. Regular teeth cleanings prevent bad breath and can give your mouth a fresher taste.
  • Early oral cancer detection - At every teeth cleaning, your dentist will check your mouth for any potential signs of oral cancer (among other issues). Early detection is key to curing oral cancer in time, so keeping up on your teeth cleanings can make all the difference in prevention.
  • Lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes - Good oral hygiene has been linked to a healthier cardiovascular system as well as a lower risk of diabetes and other similar illnesses. Although it seems surprising, your mouth is the key to good general health!
  • Reduces risk of cavities - Cavities are caused by bacteria, and bacterial buildup is more likely when a lot of plaque and tartar is present on your teeth. When you go into your routine teeth cleaning, the plaque, tartar, and bad bacteria are removed, thus minimizing your chances of getting any cavities in the future!
  • Offers an opportunity to check for a bad bite or TMJ - Dental cleaning appointments are a good time to check-in and make sure that everything looks healthy and functional. Thus, if you have any problems with your jaw, your dentist will be sure to notice earlier rather than later and will be able to help you solve the problem more effectively.

How Often You Should Get a Teeth Cleaning

Here at Jeff Kindseth DDS, we recommend to our patients that they come in to see us for a teeth cleaning no less than every 6 months. In other words, a full professional dental hygiene appointment is necessary approximately 2 times per year. If you come into the dentist at other times for other needs, a brief cleaning may be performed before the procedure or examination. Otherwise, an appointment every six months will suffice to keep your mouth in good health!

Please keep in mind that other dentist’s offices may recommend something different. However, most dental clinics recommend that their patients receive a dental cleaning twice annually because this is standard practice. If good dental health matters to you, schedule a teeth cleaning appointment with Jeff Kindseth DDS today!